Rule VII. relates to the paper, printing, and the general appearance of a
note. Genuine bank-note paper is made of linen or silk, or a mixture of
both, of a firm texture, and of a superior quality, (see the paper on
which the steel-plate illustration is printed.) This paper is manufactured
expressly for the banks and engraving companies alone, and counterfeiters
can seldom get hold of paper of this kind, but are generally compelled to
use slazy or half cotton paper. A counterfeit note is seldom printed as
well as the genuine, but often blurred, and poor ink. As to the “general
appearance,” this is produced by a combination of all the Rules. If all
the Rules are good, and the note well printed, the “general appearance” of
course will be perfect; but if there is any one or more of the Rules bad,
the harmony of the “general appearance” will be interrupted. But if a
genuine note is old, worn, and has been wet, the general appearance may be
bad, but the other rules will all be good, and prove the note to be
genuine.